Restless Leg Syndrome
Natural Remedies

Effective Natural Remedies for Restless Legs Syndrome Relief

Blackstrap Molasses

9 User Reviews
5 star (8) 
  89%
4 star (1) 
  11%

Posted by Jennifer (Greenfield, WI) on 02/28/2007
★★★★★

I went to the health food store to ask about what I could give my 15 month-old son for constipation. They suggested 1-2 tsp. of blackstrap molasses in his bottle. I bought the bottle, came home, came to this website and discovered all different things this stuff is good for. I am 8 months pregnant. I was having a lot of trouble sleeping and developing symptoms of restless leg syndrome (common in pregnancy). I decided to give it a shot. Long story short, my son is pooping like a champ and I started sleeping through the night without any jerking limbs ON THE FIRST DAY! I ran out for one day, and I had a horrible night sleep. I am amazed and delighted.


Borax

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Beth (San Diego, Ca) on 09/25/2016
★★★★★

Just wanted to comment on the stiffness someone mentioned in an RLS post. I read recently about a remedy that has really worked well for me. I was experiencing stiffness upon waking so much so that I was hobbling around in the mornings. It also effected me when I would get up from sitting down. My fingers would swell an be stiff as well. I read about boron deficiency and how stiffness was one side effect of it. The remedy: Borax. Seems borax is a mineral that was marketed for its cleaning properties. I did as directed and added a heaping tsp of borax to a quart of water. I then took 4 tablespoons of this mixture and added it to my iced tea, although any beverage would work. After a couple of days I noticed an huge difference. I have been taking it for about 3 weeks now and feel SO much better. The stiffness in my fingers is all but gone and I am not in pain upon waking or getting up from a sitting position.


Borax
Posted by Precisely (Mineral Hill, New Mexico, Usa) on 05/19/2013
★★★★★

Hi TrudyG and all others suffering from insomnia,

I also have opposite reactions to pharmacy drugs, OTC & Rx. Three things have helped me ENORMOUSLY, and all of them don't seem to be mentioned in this thread: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/insomnia6.html#MR_100360

First, taking a nightly capsule of organic borage oil, regular dose, an hour before bed got me deeply asleep, deeply dreaming, and very calm/confident-feeling the next day. It does take about 3 weeks for most people to have results, although I seem to recall it was more like 10 days for me. After a while I ran out and forgot to take it, only remembered while reading here.

Next, I got an inversion table. You can set it so that you start with a relatively low angle of inversion, by tying the strap underneath--say, 20-30 degrees for at least 10 minutes. That feels like plenty to me. If your heart is lower than your feet by 17 degrees, apparently the lymph glands release and clear. Other benefits I've noticed: practically no asthma, NO INSOMNIA, back pain decreased and overall well-being increased. Not to mention, better circulation.

However I am forgetful so the latest thing I take is borax. This is actually covered in depth at http://educate-yourself.org/cn/boraxconspiracy03jul12.shtml.

In my case, I was looking for help with my out-of-control restless legs syndrome, which, on the first day, diminished almost to nothing (now my Requip prescription of. 25 mg is more than sufficient, where before even 1mg spaced throughout the day barely controlled it. ).

Now I take the borax right before sleep, and I sleep deeply and w/o interruption for 8plus hrs. And I wake up feeling crisp! Also my asthma, which had me audibly wheezing prior to the borax, is slowly disappearing. It's also a fabulous detoxer, and is anti-microbial and perhaps also alkalining too.

At first I took the Borax in the morning, but after 3 weeks, it started to make me very sleepy so I switched to bedtime. It's very fast-acting--one minute I'm lying in bed wide awake, wondering when it's going to start knocking me out, and the next minute, I'm so deeply asleep I haven't even noticed I was getting sleepy, it's so immediate a response.

My friends who are also taking borax find that they have more energy. I MAY be feeling more energetic, but the stuff still knocks me out, so experiment on a laid-back, no-driving-etc-day to see how it affects you.

The other reason I was taking borax is that it balances the whole body's hormone, endocrine, and glandular system over time. I've been taking it now for at least 3 months. I've increased my dose to a tablespoon (from a teaspoon). Just last week it seemed to me that my post-menopausal dryness was no longer an issue. I intend to continue taking this forever.

Oh yes, another borax good result: my neighbor, 70 yrs old, fell off a horse and broke 2 ribs. Since he won't go to doctors, I gave him some borax. He says his ribs healed fast, and with much less pain than the other times they have broken.

Dosing excerpts from midway through the link at beginning of this post:

Firstly, dissolve a lightly rounded teaspoonful (5-6 grams) of borax in 1 litre of good quality water* free of chlorine and fluoride. This is your concentrated solution. Keep the bottle out of reach of small children. (* I''m using distilled water)

Standard dose = 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of concentrate. This has 25 to 30 mg of borax and provides about 3 mg of boron. Take 1 dose per day mixed with drink or food. If that feels right then take a second dose with another meal. If there is no specific health problem or as a maintenance dose you may continue indefinitely with 1 or 2 doses daily. "

(elsewhere in my reading people taking the borax-in-water cure seem to take it for 5 days, stop for 2, then start again for 5 days, off for 2 days, and so on. )

"If you do have a problem, such as arthritis, osteoporosis and related conditions, menopause, stiffness due to advancing years, and also to improve low sex hormone production, increase intake to 3 or more spaced-out standard doses for several months or longer until you feel that your problem has sufficiently improved. Then drop back to 1 or 2 doses per day."

http://g2cforum.org/index.php/list/other-alternatives/20552-the-borax-conspiracy-how-a-mineral-vital-to-health-was-suppressed

http://g2cforum.org/index.php/list/other-alternatives/2910-big-island-dairy-farmers-fight-radiation-with-boron

BTW... Trazodone HCL does work for my insomnia. At first I had to double-dose but now I can take 1/4 pill and that will also knock me out.... But why bother when borax is much safer and helps with so many cures.
...............

Last I would like to thank Joy and Everyone about mentioning the water cure. I think adding the right salt will help w my frequent urination, thirst, and allergies. Had forgotten that histamine is a dehydration response. Beginning to wonder if I was developing diabetes. Would diabetes show up in a hair sample?

Many Blessings!

Replied by Susan
(Chicago)
05/20/2013

Precisely, What kind of Borax dosage did you take before bed time ? I am afraid drinking too much water before bed time. What brand borax did you use?

Replied by Carmela
(Cambridge, Ma)
05/20/2013

Thank you so much for submitting your borax remedy! I have tried borax, but don't like drinking a liter a day so your method of just 1 teaspoon at night sounds fantastic! I immediately went and prepared a bottle last night after reading your post and took my first teaspoon before bed. It relaxed me, but didn't zonk me out. I am looking forward to providing more feedback as time goes by. Thank you again!

Replied by Precisely.
(Mineral Hill, New Mexico, Us)
05/20/2013

Hi Susan from Chicago, I started with a teaspoon from the litre bottle of water and borax. I'm up to 1 tablespoon at bedtime now. To me, it tastes like very dilute apple juice, but most folks seem to think it tastes "soapy".

After the first 10 days, my response switched from bright and wide-awake to extremely sleepy. My guess is that I was having a healing crisis response, but one afternoon, I literally fell asleep standing up. Had a split-second to grab the armchair and fall down into it, instead of somewhere else. Scared the heck out of my cats, who were in the chair until I fell there, and also scared me, too. Fainting is different -- used to faint as a teen into my 20s. This was definitely falling asleep. Over the next week I asked a friend to be my 'contact buddy' and we spoke 2-3x daily, to make sure no other sudden surprises went unnoticed.

At some point we figured out that I should only take the borax at bedtime. Maybe it would be different if I sipped a pint or so that had a teaspoon in it... But for now, all's good. I do feel more energized during the daytime, as well. Interesting nutrient.

Debating whether to boost my intake, and not sure if I feel like experimenting with another daytime dose. My body feels like it wants more.

To Carmela from Cambridge, happy my idea helped!

To Leelannee from Sussex, NJ... I love your town! Those stone sidewalks, and all the old colonial buildings, plus so close to great parks and forests. I've had the same experience as you have if I miss even one dose (= bad night).

Replied by Susan
(Chicgo, Chicago)
05/21/2013

Where do you get your Borax? Is it 20 Mule?

Replied by Precisely.
(Mineral Hill, New Mexico)
05/21/2013

To Susan from Chicago: Yes, 20-Mule Team Borax.


Butcher's Broom

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Laurie (Seattle) on 07/16/2016
★★★★★

Butcher's Broom helps with restless leg syndrome. Used to work in a vitamin store and customers loved it. Take the tincture or capsules twice a day.


Calcium Lactate

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Niecie F. (California) on 04/26/2020
★★★★★

My RLS has diminished about 95 percent since taking calcium.

I mix 1 tablespoon of Standard Process calcium lactate powder in my evening kefir drink. Standard Process also carries it in tablet form in which you would take six per day. It is my understanding that calcium lactate is the most absorbable form of calcium and I would only recommend taking this form from Standard Process.

I also take Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder and extra magnesium. I also used to get severe toe and foot cramps. With taking these supplements, all cramps are gone too.


Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium; Alkaline Diet

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Ed (Lower Burrell, PA) on 09/16/2007
★★★★★

I have been working with a naturopathic doctor for a number of ailments. Although I do not have RLS, this Dr. has a radio show (620am) in Pittsburgh and has commented on RSL causes. It is usually a mineral deficiency. Adding Calcium, Magnesium or Potassium is typically the remedy. However one must be aware that there is also an underlying cause depleting minerals in the body. Soda pop (pH=2.5), coffee (pH=5.0), alcohol can pull minerals from muscles (cramps) and bones (thinning) to ring the body back to alkaline (the blood is tightly regulated at a pH of ~7.4). Try cutting out such items and supplement with good quality minerals and you should see a marked improvement. Good luck!

Replied by Andoy
(Boise, Id)
09/22/2011

Looks like this a problem of too much acidity.


Cereal High in Iron

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Mary (Chicago, IL) on 11/29/2007
★★★★★

I use Cream of Wheat for my RLS!! My legs have always hurt plus I've had poor circulation for as long as I can remember. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, so I researched causes and found one reason was an Iron deficiency. I then researched foods rich in Iron and came up with Cream of Wheat, 1 cup equal to 10 mg. and Total, 1 ounce equal to 18 mg. RDA is 19 mg. per day. Don't care for Total that much but love COW. Have now been taking it for 3 weeks straight, my legs are totally cured. How long did it take? Instantly. I noticed the results after the first time I took it. Even I can't believe it, it's a miracle!!!

Replied by Carlos
(Dundas, Ontario, Canada)
07/11/2012

Been taking cream of wheat for six months and it is doing nothing for my nightly restless legs. Tried the soap, no effect. Tried magnesium with and without calcium, tablets and powder (CALM), no effect. Would cutting out one or two cups of coffee in the morning really make a difference? The only sure thing which works is walking around for about two hours between 2 AM and 4 AM, plus some tylenol. Don't ask me why. Carlos.

Replied by Blanche
(Iberia Parish, Louisiana)
07/11/2012

Are you by any chance anemic? That is one of the contributing factors.

Replied by Bess
(Calgary (home Of The Stampede!), Alberta, Canada)
07/12/2012

Hi Carlos - Along with being checked for anemia as suggested by Blanche, have your thyroid checked too. Restless leg syndrome can be a problem for those suffering from hypothyroidism. Also, make sure you are not dehydrated (check out the water cure on the Internet - you add just a little bit of sea salt with your water). Although magnesium (CALM) really helped me with RLS, perhaps you need to apply magnesium oil transdermally on your legs/feet (I believe Bill's formula is 60% magnesium chloride and 40% distilled water). Good luck - I hope you find something that works! Bess

Replied by Mare
(Il, US)
02/01/2015

UPDATE: It's been a long time since I posted my miracle cure of Cream of Wheat for my RLS. Just so you know, I still use it, but don't use it exclusively for my RLS, I use something else. The reason being, I found the root cause of my problem (from my doctor) is related to my diabetes, it's diabetic neuropathy. Although I still have it, it's now manageable and doesn't affect me like before. At least I know. Feel free to contact me about what I take.

Replied by Ladymars
(Florida, Us)
02/01/2015

Hi, great to know about the low iron/diabetic neuropathy link. Can you tell us what else you are taking in addition to the Cream of Wheat? Thanks!

Replied by Mare
(Il)
02/02/2015

Yes, it's metformin and since taking it my legs feel 99% better.

Replied by Larry
(Fairfax, Va)
02/02/2015

Hi Mare, In your post about RLS, you mention: "Yes, It's metformin .... " Can you please explain this further, including its action & the dosage? Thanks, Larry

Replied by Mare
(Il, US)
02/03/2015

Metformin -- dosage for me is once a day, in the morning before I eat anything. I think the mg. is 250. Honestly, if I had known my diabetes was the REAL cause of my RLS I would've taken it years ago, but I didn't have medical insurance and couldn't afford to see a doctor. It wasn't until my sister, a nurse, contacted a (medical) doctor who saw me pro bono took a lot of tests and when apprised of my family medical history diagnosed me as having Type II diabetes and telling me my RLS was related to my diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain.)

FYI, I still have foot pain, especially after walking a lot, this is where the cream of wheat comes in, but the RLS is all but gone, except for about 1%, which is almost negligible!

Also, I've started taking mustard, approx. a couple of teaspoons. I heard about this on Dr. Oz one day, he said pro football players take it for leg pain. Even though I thought it sounded a little strange I took it and it seems to help a lot. Apparently there's something it that alleviates joint pain.

If anybody else wants to chime in on this I'm all ears.

Replied by Om
(Hope, Bc CA)
02/03/2015

If you research diabetes on EC you will be getting the truth about metformin. GreenMedInfo online will also get you the full picture.

I have no nerve pain since using high amounts of Amala (Indian vit. C) which is for years. I take it with honey, yes, honey about three times a week with or after meal with powdered Turmeric in goats milk. Nothing else needed. This is after a lot of research.

It is in the doctors handbook that allopathic medicine causes death which is then certified to be caused by "diabetes and heart failure".

These meds. cause dehydration till the heart gives out. Inform yourself and you will benefit.

Namaste, Om

Replied by Mare
(Il)
02/05/2015

Oh... I forgot to mention, I'm now using magnesium oil for my feet when they hurt. I love this stuff, everybody and I mean everybody should get it and try it! It comes in a spray bottle and is applied topically, I use right before bedtime and boy does it help with my throbbing pain. It calms them down and makes it possible for a restful night's sleep. When I awake poof the pain is gone!

So in conclusion, for me it's cream of wheat, table mustard and magnesium oil. And of course, metformin for the RLS.

P.S. Initially I take magnesium taurate to fall asleep... which I've been taking faithfully for approx. 8 years now. Love magnesium for all its applications!


Coconut Oil

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Lardiver (Abbotsford, Bc ) on 11/02/2011
★★★★★

Coconut oil for my RLS [restless leg syndrome]

For 25 years I have had RLS, I used drugs for it every night. When I started using coconut oil the RLS stoped, I haven't taken the drugs in a month now, and am so glad to rid of them. I can still feel them coming on of the RLS if I don't take enough coconut oil so I just take some more and I'm good.

Replied by Diana
(Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
11/23/2011

What do you mean you started using coconut oil? Rubbing it on the legs or taking it orally?

Replied by Lardiver
(Abbotsford, Bc Canada)
11/23/2011

Sorry I mean I take coconut oil, drink it, eat it, on food any way, it stops my restless legs and has been for a few months now.

Replied by Lardiver
(Abbotsford, Bc Canada)
05/24/2012

Just to ad an update. I also found that using Kombucha tea helps a lot with my RLS. I us both the coconut oil and kombucha and very seldom have any RLS problems. As for the disclaimer that you should get medical advice from a Doctor first, every time I have been to see a Doctor they try and give me a prescription. I rarelly ever waste my time with doctors any more since all they know is drugs, they have lost contact with real cures. I am far more healthy for it, and I fell 20-30 years younger. I have been curing all my health problems without the side effects of prescribed drugs. Thank you Earth clinic.

Replied by Smanke
(Newport News, Va)
04/17/2013

It's been a while now and was wondering if you are still using the coconut oil for restless legs and/or how long it worked. My mom is 87 and would like to give her some hope for these final years.

Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
04/18/2013

Use the following for restless leg syndrome:

1. Apply on her knees solution of half teaspoon of baking soda in half glass of water..."dab"on her knees and legs on surface of the skin, two applications in three minutes of each other - to both legs. I have found that little trick when my legs (mainly my legs around my knees) begin to be irritated at night works wonders to calm the irritation.

2. Also Calcium AEP (MUST be AEP)...two tablets to counter irritable legs, especially helpful if patient is prone to insulin resistance and finally...

3. No sugar or foods with sugar like fruit juices, cereals with sugar etc. after 3:00 pm. Again, restless leg is often associated with folks who are insulin resistant or borderline.


Cold Room, Potassium

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Bogdan (Canada) on 03/06/2017
★★★★★

Hi, what's working for my RLS is a cold room. I've had RLS since I was a kid till now, 50+ years.

Found a/c need to cool room 20 deg and take two potassium pills. This is it. all the best.


Compression

2 User Reviews
5 star (1) 
  50%
4 star (1) 
  50%

Posted by Ks (San Diego ) on 10/18/2016
★★★★☆

What really works for me is also compression on my legs. You must try compression stockings. They are primarily for circulation however the pressure does definitely ease the restless legs. I'm not saying it will take it completely away but help drastically. You can look them up online and try at least 30 to 40 mm of pressure. I use 40 to 50 and they work really well. They're a little difficult to get on but definitely worth it.


Compression
Posted by Nancy (Usa) on 07/19/2015
★★★★★

Hi all, I too have suffered from restless legs and sometimes arms. Two things have worked for me. One, apply pressure to legs to still the nerves. I sit with the restless leg underneath me. It will go away in about 20 minutes.

The other thing is dietary changes, eliminating sugar, grains, alcohol, legumes, dairy. I am on day 6 of a 30 day elimination diet. Try it!


Cotton Sheets

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Makayla (Knoxville, Tn, Usa) on 09/15/2012
★★★★★

I'm a 31 year old female, and have been suffering from restless legs since I was about 14 or so. I finally think I've figured out what's been causing it, though I'm not entirely sure why - polyester bedding.

I've tried just about everything, including magnesium, potassium, massage and the good old bar of soap trick, but nothing worked. I always though it had been something that I was, or wasn't, eating.

After buying a new bedspread, I noticed that it had been a few days since I'd had my jumpy legs. Took a little while to figure it out, but for the first time in probably my life, I was sleeping with 100% cotton sheets and a 100% cotton woven bedspread. And my restless legs were GONE.

I don't know why this is... Maybe the polyester I usually use doesn't let my legs breathe, or maybe there's even something going on with static electricity. I've tested this a few times since I've noticed, and my old comforter gives me restless legs every time.

This may not work for everybody, but if it maybe helps one person, I'll be happy! I know how frustrating this condition can be.

Replied by Kate
(Raleigh, Nc, United States)
09/16/2012
6 posts

This is a very interesting post about cotton sheets for restless legs. I don't have restless legs, but I do have trouble sleeping. Although my quilt is made of a combination of cotton and linen, my sheets have polyester in them and so does my mattress cover. I'm going to start shopping for cotton sheets and a cotton mattress cover. Sleep is so important for our happiness and well-being. I believe we should make sleep our number one priority (well, actually, in addition to nutrition). Thank you, Makayla, for sharing your experience with us!

Replied by Grace
(Seattle)
01/31/2017
★★★★★

Polyester clothes, creates a very strong electrostatic field which affects the body which makes the body react. Polyester is the worst fabric you can wear. We purchase all organic 100% cotton sheets, blankets. We began to replace all of our clothes to cotton, wearing cotton sock is very important I can tell big difference in how I feel if I wear a cotton clothing I feel clear, light, calm I feel so much better and healthy if I wear polyester or any synthetic I feel really off and my skin body feel uneasy, uncomfortable and my legs jumpy.

Polyester is made from synthetic polymers that are made from esters of dihydric alcohol and terpthalic acid. 2. Acrylic fabrics are polycrylonitriles and may cause cancer, according to the EPA.


Deodorant

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Shi ( Onalaska, Wi) on 04/18/2015
★★★★★

The screaming crying agony I was in last night had no words. I rubbed, moved, twitched but my legs still hurt and my feet hurt. I didn't have bar soap but I tried the deodorant and it worked!!! Within seconds the agony stopped. I could sleep. I forgot to do my feet, woke up to hours later in more pain. put more on my feet and beautiful relief!!!! Thank you!!!


Diagnosing RLS vs PLMD

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by John (Australia) on 09/30/2020
★★★★★

*Important note*;

RLS should not be confused with "Period Limb Movement Disorder"…

'RLS' vs. 'Period Limb Movement Disorder'…

  • In RLS, there are NO involuntary movements/spasms. RLS involves uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an urge to move the limbs… all movement with RLS is voluntary.
  • In PLMD, there are involuntary spasms, twitching and involuntary movements.

They are two completely different conditions…

  • RLS is a nerve condition.
  • PLMD is a muscle condition.
  • Opiates, like morphine, help RLS but does not help PLMD.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, like Diclofenac, help PLMD but do not help RLS.


Diatomaceous Earth

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Patricia (Indiana, US) on 08/08/2014
★★★★★

It seems restless leg syndrome may have more than one cause. For ex. the first time I got it, it was due to low iron. I almost never eat red meat but take iron supplements. When I ran out I forgot about it until I got the rls and saw on the net that it could be caused by low iron.

Let me say this about iron & all supplements. A doctor I used to have, now retired, said that what they call "normal" in blood testing just means average. He said that after decade of practice he saw "average", therefore "normal", go down quite a bit. So he said go by symptoms and not just blood tests.

The 2nd time I got rls, many months later, I knew it was not iron. The stinging and itchy feelings reminded me of when I had done a parasite cleanse and checking on the net sure enough I saw someone saying that after getting rid of the bugs the rls went away. (Maybe they operate best in low iron conditions??)

I began to take a heaping tsp of diatomaceous earth in water every morning on a mostly empty stomach. In one day the rls was down to very mild in in a week it was gone.

Hulda Clark, famous for her cleansing regimes, said every person she ever tested for parastes had them, and everyone had tapeworms. One way to see this for yourself: Take 2 cayenne capsules in water 3 X a day with 2 glasses of water to keep from a burning sensation in your stomach.

Don't eat any rice or things like seseme seeds or nuts. In a very few days you should see "white rice" or seseme seed looking things, or things that look like cut nuts. These are parts of tapeworms. The cayenne pepper does not kill the head, though, which is what reproduces.

Anyway, food grade diatomaceous earth is cheap and very safe and will make all those symptoms go away, rls and tapeworm parts.



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